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Corona Devo 3265

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Aaaahh, we are at the start of a new season in our family. A number of new seasons, actually. From fresh soccer-team starts, to college move-ins, to a new nest-total within our home...it is definitely a season of changes. And with the change from Summer into Fall, days-off into full-time, and just by the sheer nature of life , I know that all of us are experiencing change in our lives right now. It's inevitable. We want things to stay the same, but change (in our lives/in our world/in our selves) is constant. And so I know that I am not the only one starting a new season. God knows it too. And He is right here with us as we move into and through our changes. And we can praise Him for that. Praise the Lord .   How good it is to sing praises to our God,     how pleasant and fitting to praise him! ~Psalm 147:1 ~~~ What is your change? I am missing two of my children who (beginning a new year in college) are merging who-they-are  with who-they-will-be , ...
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Corona Devo 3264

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Ever read a horror story?  I went through a period when I enjoyed reading horror books, and Edgar Allan Poe is no stranger to me.  He wrote one short story called "The Tell-Tale Heart" about a guy who killed a man and buried the dead guy's heart under a floorboard in his house.  The only problem was.... his conscience.   The killer thought he heard that dead heart beating, and the guilt and the madness made him confess the murder to the police.   Sound freaky?  It is!  But it's a made-up (fictional) story, (which may or may not have similar themes to the Holy Spirit convicting us of sin and unresolved sin in our lives and hearts).  And while Edgar Allen Poe is a great writer, his words are fiction. But God's word is Truth .   Then I saw heaven opened, and a white horse was standing there. Its rider was named Faithful and True, for he judges fairly and wages a righteous war.   ~Revelation 19:11 If we have ever been captivated by...
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Corona Devo 3263

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It doesn't surprise me when my kids study for a test and then get an "A".   Should it?   Our before-activity has a direct-effect on our outcome. It doesn't surprise me when I am (actually) diligent about what I eat or snack on...and then I feel better about myself and within myself.   Should it?   Our before-activity has a direct-effect on our outcome. I love the Lord.  I pray very often to Him.  I know  that God hears us when we speak to Him (audibly or inaudibly).   The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.  ~James 5:16 So, why should it surprise me when I pray...and God answers?  It should not surprise us when God hears us  and answers us. Our before-activity has a direct-effect on our outcome. Perhaps we expect His answer to be delayed...because so often, it is.   We pray and desire for now , and God's timing often seems on a different clock than ours.   And you and I bot...
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Corona Devo 3262

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Saying my prayers last night...my heart quickened.   ...Does yours ever do the same? Stress mounts. Life changes are afoot. Uncertainties loom.  Unknowns mound.  Lack of control is everywhere. Sometimes we get overwhelmed.  The weight of this world worries us.  Wearies us.  Weighs us.  Waylays us. It's too much.   Sometimes we can barely manage/put-up-with/handle/or take this world.  There is no peace  anywhere to be found. Or is there? Breathe. Pray to the Lord.   Ask Him for help.   Seek His guidance and peace today. God reminds us through the Bible (His Word) that we were never meant to manage this world on our own...or in our strength.  Jesus Christ assures us that He has overcome the world , and Jesus  gives us our peace : ...He gives us  His peace . Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be af...
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Corona Devo 3261

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We have so many influences in our lives--which should we worship?  Some of our influences come from our upbringing.  We remember Uncle So-and-So's good nature and sense of humor, and it helps to keep a spring in our step, and a smile on our heart. Perhaps we had an elder in the family who was wise with money, investing, giving, and living...and we want to be like them.   Our influences can come from outside of our family-lines too: pastors, teachers, coaches, mentors...and online and on-screen too.  Even people we have never met  can shape what we think and who we are.  We can begin to idolize others with our attention to them and by the power we allow them to hold over us and our decisions. This sounds bad , but some people do so much  good  and even good for God... that we want to be like them.   Is this bad?   ---The Bible reminds us today that no matter who  is influencing us, and why---we should worship only God ...
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Corona Devo 3260

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Our family sends two sons to college this week...does anyone have any advice for them? The world will wink and say: " Have fun! ".   Our culture will chortle and cheer: " Party! " But I was blessed by the Lord's blunt advice when I opened the Bible today and it read (essentially): " Avoid women and drinking! ".   God's advice (given through King Lemuel  in the Book of Proverbs ) is direct and stark  and timely  for  King Lemuel's  sons ( O my son, O son of my womb, O son of my vows ), for  college students, and for each of us today, too. King Lemuel  wrote this advice to his sons...the sons of a king.  But you and I are (also) sons and daughters of a King, and this advice is not outdated, prude, or incorrect.   It is in perfect timing and perfect advice for each of us today. The sayings of King Lemuel contain this message, which his mother taught him.  ( 2) O my son, O son of my womb, O son of my vows, ( 3) do n...
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